The Metropolitan Opera in New York City hosted its season finale on June 6, featuring the opera ‘Turandot’ by Giacomo Puccini. The performance starred Ukrainian soprano Ludmyla Monastyrska in the title role, with Oksana Lyniv conducting.
This performance held particular significance for Monastyrska, who made her debut as Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera in 2022 following the theatre’s decision to end its collaboration with Russian soprano Anna Netrebko.
Among the attendees were American actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who interacted with the Ukrainian artists after the show. Svetlana Melnyk, wife of Ukraine’s permanent representative to the United Nations, reported on the event.
Melnyk noted, “We found ourselves in the same director’s box as the legendary ‘Sex and the City’ star Sarah Jessica Parker and the unique Hollywood actor Matthew Broderick. We spent the intermissions talking together and were genuinely impressed by their support for Ukraine and their awareness of events surrounding our country.”
Following the performance, Parker and Broderick visited the artists’ dressing rooms, where they congratulated Monastyrska, French tenor Roberto Alagna, who portrayed Calaf, and Lyniv. The informal gathering fostered discussions about art, Ukraine, and the role of culture in international dialogue.
Melnyk described the atmosphere as filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine support for Ukraine. She emphasized the importance of Ukrainian artists as cultural diplomats, showcasing their country on prominent global stages and drawing international attention to Ukrainian culture and current events.
“These individuals are our first-tier cultural diplomats. They promote Ukraine where political arguments sometimes fail, through music, talent, emotion, and globally recognized beauty,” Melnyk stated.
Sarah Jessica Parker is widely recognized for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in the series ‘Sex and the City’. She is a four-time Golden Globe winner for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and a two-time Emmy Award recipient.
In June 2023, Parker launched her own publishing house, SJP Lit, which aims to publish thought-provoking stories that encompass international and underrepresented voices. She is also set to produce a documentary titled ‘Front Row’ by Miriam Gutman, which focuses on a group of Ukrainian dancers in exile forming a new ballet company called United Ukrainian Ballet.
Additionally, Parker has been spotted filming the continuation of ‘Sex and the City’, titled ‘And Just Like That’, and has faced criticism from Ukrainian social media users regarding her engagement with the narrative surrounding Alexei Navalny.
In 2025, Parker is expected to serve as a judge for the Booker Prize.
The Metropolitan Opera's season finale featured Ukrainian artists, highlighting their role in cultural diplomacy. The event attracted notable attendees, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who expressed support for Ukraine.